<i>Xander’s heart sank when he recalled that Valentine’s Day was truly around the corner, and he hadn’t asked Arabe out yet. His palms turned sweaty. </i>


    <i>The annual sportspetition was held every year with other schools and their schools have always carried the trophy back. </i>


    <i>"If the date of thepetition is the same as Valentine’s Day, a lot of students aren’t going to pay attention to the on-going matches. It’s not going to work out unless thepetition is held a day after Valentine. That way, some boys will be in a good mood to show off to their girlfriends, don’t you think?" He asked her, silently wondering if he should ask her out for a date. </i>


    <i>Just her presence alone spiked something in him. </i>


    <i>Arabe’s index finger was on her chin, as she considered his idea. "I suggested something simr like that. They said they would consider it. When they make a decision, they will let us know," she replied and Xander heaved a sigh of relief. </i>


    <i>If there was apetition, he was definitely participating. He just didn’t like the idea of going on a date and participating in apetition all on the same day. </i>


    <i>"I hope they do change their mind." Raising his hand, he scratched the back of his hair with a shy smile spread on his lips. "By the way, do you have a date on Valentine’s Day?" He asked. </i>


    <i>Arabe was quite taken aback by his question, and her silence made Xander believe she did. </i>


    <i>He wouldn’t bat an eye to rip off the hands of any senior she was currently hanging out with, and bury him somewhere even his father would never find. </i>


    <i>"I’m sorry—"</i>


    <i>"Not at all, Xander. Why? Do you want to take me on a date?" She asked, as her eyes squinted teasingly at him while a yful grin settled on her lips. </i>


    <i>If it had been other girls, they would probably be squeaking like rats that just found cheese under the table. However, Arabe looked calm and collected with a little hint of excitement in her tone. </i>


    <i>"W-well, I was...." Xander immediately mped his mouth shut when he realized he was starting to stutter. When did he start stuttering? </i>


    <i>He coughed elegantly to get the bile down his throat before he parted his lips to continue. </i>


    <i>"Yes, I would like to take you on a date. Would you go out with me, Arabe?" He asked. </i>


    <i>Arabe’s smirk stretched further on her lips, then she nodded. </i>


    <i>She’d only seen Xander as a friend. The kind that would always stand by your side when you have some troubles. But now he was asking her out so romantically, she couldn’t help but see him so differently now. </i>


    <i>"Yes, I would love to go out with you Xander."</i>


    <i>It felt as if a bang had just been fired in the sky, releasing beautiful fireworks. </i>


    <i>Despite the speed his heart hammered against his ribcage, he tried to cool it off. </i>


    <i>"That’s right! I’lle pick you up on that day—"</i>


    <i>"If the school changes the date of thepetition..." She remembered, then chuckled. </i>


    <i>After exchanging a few more words they decided to part ways. </i>


    <i>Xander continued to ignore Xavier as if thetter never existed. </i>


    <i>"What’s wrong with him?" Maxwell asked when they got to the cafeteria. </i>


    <i>"Family issues," Xavier replied, his gaze on Xander who’d refused to sit in their regr spot. </i>


    <i>When school was over, Xander was about to get into his car. Both he and Xavier hade in different cars and the driver was already waiting for him. </i>


    <i>However when he was about to leave, the car before his honked at him, startling him as the windows rolled down, revealing a man who seemed to be the same age as his father. </i>


    <i>Just recalling he had such a father left him feeling exasperated for the nth time since the day began. </i>


    <i>"Hey there, son!" The unknown man d in a sparkly fancy white suit called, revealing a smile that made his wrinkles pop like a balloon. </i>


    <i>Xander already identified him to be a wealthy man from the car he was in.</i>


    <i>’Who is this grandpa and why’s he talking to me?’ He couldn’t help but wonder. </i>


    <i>Despite seeing the impatient look on Xander, the man continued. </i>


    <i>"I’m Bruce rie, an old friend of your father. If you don’t mind, I would like to share a few words with you."</i>